Never believe these four investment myths

Never believe these four investment myths

The reason there are so many common myths around the business of mutual funds is that there are few people who know the business right. Common people do not put their brains before investing but consult an expert or a financial executive before doing the business. Therefore, so many myths around this field remain unrevealed. 

Here are four of the most common lies or myths that people fall for before investing:

1. To invest, you have to be an expert

This investment myth is one of the most common that people fall for. The experts would make you believe that you are incapable of functioning on your own when it comes to investing your own money. You may need some extra professional advice before going into business, but you do not have to be an expert. You don’t have to know everything about the market. You have to learn only about the parts you are interested in. You can compartmentalize before investing.

2. It is impossible to beat the market

Money investment is all about basic economics knowledge and basic knowledge of how the market works. Well, most of the guys who handle your funds and pension are ignorant of basic skills to beat the market. They fail to do so (96% of them fail for over 5 to 6 years). If he or she knows how to calculate the value of a business, the market could be beaten. The perfect time to buy units is when the big guys are letting go of those because the price is lower.

3. The long term is a safer way to invest

Well, this idea could be a golden trap for those who do not have the basic idea of investment. A long-term investment is way too risky for a real investor. If you do not know the worth of the business that you are holding, you can always diversify to stay away from destroying yourself. However, no great investor has ever diversified. If the company is a corrupt one, your investment plan should be changed. If you hold onto a corrupt company, the long-term is just a recipe for your disaster.

4. Economic forecasts will help

Economics is a complex subject, and the market is full of changing variables. The factors that drive the market of mutual funds are never fixed. Investors often think the opposite. They somehow manage to believe that that they can decide when to invest and where to invest, depending on a macroeconomic factor such as forecasts. The forecasts might give the investors a heads up, but the apprehensions are not definite. This is where your investment manager could help you out to identify the right opportunity to invest money.

The real tip for a good investment is only doing invest in a business that you understand. A successful investment would help you bust these myths around this field.

How to Make the Best of the Internet During the Lockdown

How to Make the Best of the Internet During the Lockdown

There is so much more to the internet than just Facebook and YouTube! Countless opportunities to learn and grow will not let you get bored even during the COVID-19 lockdown. Moving ahead of social trends and viral videos, utilize your free time for productive activities. These could prove extremely rewarding too. So, how do you make your internet hours worth every bit? Take a look.

1. Virtual Tours

Incredible virtual tours of countries, museums and much more can satiate your wanderlust and expand your boundaries! Let you eyes and mind feast on canyons, mountains and gorges even during the quarantine. If you are an art fan, pick galleries and museums. Virtual tours also include nature walkthroughs, window shopping in high-end fashion boutiques and hiking through various terrains. Additionally, you can go for Disney trips, college campus visits and NASA tours with just a few clicks.

2.     Online Courses

This is possibly the best time to brush up on your skills and learn a few new ones. If you are looking to fill the time at home, go for web developing, self paced quizzes, video-game developing, AI programming, website building or computer fundamentals. Pick the budget friendly ones and select a particular slot of the day. Dedicate this time to completing online courses and bolstering your CV.

3. Live Performances

There are plenty of on-screen concerts and gigs to keep you entertained at home. But nowadays, artists are trying their best to deliver live performances on social media. They are teaming up with fellow musicians to live stream some feel good songs and musical clips. From Indian artists to international ones, they are making a coordinated effort to spread positivity and hope during this ongoing crisis.

4. Free Movies

While staying at home, many might need some solid distraction. If you are tired of binge watching TV shows and sitcoms, go for enjoyable free movies. Emma, Birds of Prey, Marriage Story, Little Women, Knives Out, The Irishman and The Two Popes are brilliant ones. These are available on most digital platforms. They give you detailed insight into the cinematic world. You can choose your genre from horror to fantasy, science fiction, animation, dark comedy, romance, crime thrillers, satires and historical drama.

5. Free E-Books

Project Gutenberg, Google eBooks, Open Library, Smashwords and Wattpad are a few great online reading platforms. They have endless titles and genres to choose from. Just type the name and click on the cover for a preview. From bestsellers to classics, most of these websites have an impressive collection. Most also allow a free temporary trial account, just like Netflix or Amazon Prime. Just tap on the “free” tab before selecting from the millions of books and authors to read.

With these simple activities, you will never be bored stuck at home. Whether you love free books to read or simply watching a fun live session, there’s a lot choose from even during these difficult times.

Tips to Makes Air Travel Safer

Tips to Makes Air Travel Safer

First time travelers often wonder if flying is safe. It can be overwhelming to be lifted into the clouds and see tall buildings become the size of ants. Well, flights are the safest way to travel. You are more likely to hear of car crashes while plane crashes are so rare. This is because most airlines follow stringent safety measures and execute them effectively. Well trained crew also provide instructions on board to help passengers stay safe.

Despite these measures, if you’re still worried about safety, here are a few things you can do to take safety to new heights, quite literally!

Listen to the Briefing

You’ve done online flight ticket booking a zillion times and are a frequent traveler. Still, it’s important to pay attention to safety demonstrations on board. This makes you aware of the location of emergency doors as well as how to wear a life jacket, put on an oxygen mask and help fellow passengers. Also, if you are seated in the emergency exit row, you will be given special instructions by the attendants. Every airline may have separate safety provisions and the aircraft may be different. So, do listen carefully. The session hardly takes a few minutes, so try not to sleep through it.

Keep Your Seat Belts Fastened
While booking flight tickets, consider reading the rules and regulations. Most airlines expect you wear the seat best throughout the flight time, even if the seat belt sign has been switched off. In case of turbulence or air bumps, you will be protected from hitting the seat in front of you. In fact, you can end up injuring others if you are not secured to the seat.

Avoid Lavatories

One of the most dangerous places while landing or taking off could be the restrooms. You can fall with force or hurt yourself due to aircraft movements. Since the lavatory is a confined space, you will be in an uncomfortable situation. Certain objects might also come flying from the shelves and injure your face. It is best to check with the attendants if it is safe to use the washroom. Also, as soon as the red cross sign appears beside the lavatory sign, better go back to your seat.

Light Bags in Overhead Bins

While booking domestic flight ticket, you will notice that there is a certain weight and size limit for hang baggage. Make sure to abide by the limitations, so that the overhead bins are not overloaded. During wind shear or jerks, they might accidentally open and injure someone. Of course, flight attendants always check the bins but it’s a good idea for all passengers to be mindful as well, by carrying lighter bags.

Don’t Panic

After booking flight tickets, the next thing to do is to practice some relaxation techniques. If you have aerophobia, try to listen to some music or breathe deeply to calm your nerves. If you are afraid of heights, avoid looking out of the window while taking off. This will cut down anxiety and make the flying experience more comfortable. Instead of worrying about things that are out of your control, try to follow the instructions to keep yourself and others safe.

Turn off all the electronic devices, avoid alcohol before a flight and make sure to be seated at most times. These will ensure a pleasant and memorable air travel.

How to Choose the Best Lender for Your Home Loan

How to Choose the Best Lender for Your Home Loan

Home loans can be a great way to own your dream house, even if you are short on funds. With simple documentation, easy eligibility and attractive interest rates, the popularity of these loans is increasing in India with each passing year. In fact, in April 2019, the housing loan market grew 18.7%, according to information provided by the Reserve Bank of India.

But with the growth in popularity of home loans, the number of lenders has also mushroomed. So, choosing the best one can often prove to be confusing for a first-time home buyer. If you too are a first-time home buyer, then worry not. Here are some tips to help you choose the best home loan provider.

1. Amount or LTV Ratio

The amount of loan you are sanctioned depends upon the value of the property as well as your salary. Generally, banks approve amounts that are around 80% to 85% of the property value. But recently, the RBI has allowed the loan to value ratio to be up to 90% for properties that are worth up to ₹30 lakhs. But whether you get this amount would depend on your occupation, disposable income, and even number of dependents. Try to choose a loan provider who offers you the highest LTV ratio.

2. Documentation

As for documentation, the documents needed for a home loan can vary. But most banks look for address proof, proof of age, and income proof as well. But there are certain banks that can have relaxed document requirements for home loans. These banks provide you a loan even if you do not have income proof. But you must have a good repayment history for this to be possible.

3. Turnaround Time

Turnaround time means the duration between your submission of documents and disbursal of the amount. Generally, banks take around 5 to 7 days to sanction the loan, provided the submitted documents are in order. But the best banks give home loans in as little as 72 hours. These banks generally have a team of technical and legal experts, who guide and review your application on the spot. This speeds up the process and saves you from multiple visits.

4. Processing Charges

Banks generally levy a charge for the processing of the application. These charges can vary from 0.25% to 2% of the total loan amount. There can also be certain terms and conditions Regarding prepayment of the loan too. Be sure to go through the terms and conditions thoroughly before you choose a home loan in India.

5. Responsiveness

There are instances when the policies are modified or changed by the Reserve Bank of India. It is important to know by how much and how quickly a lender changes the interest rate in such cases. For instance, if there is a lender that is reducing the interest rate, following a repo rate cut, then it is a good idea to go for such a lender.

Apart from these, the obvious thing to keep in mind would be the interest rate. This would have a great impact on the tenure as well as the EMIs.

5 Effective Ways to Remove Underarm Hair

5 Effective Ways to Remove Underarm Hair

Let’s be honest, underarm hair can be pretty irritating – the appearance, and the smell, both disgust most of us to a great extent. So what are some of the most effective ways of getting rid of that evil armpit stubble? Let’s discuss this with the experts!

1. Waxing

The granny method always works; it’s globally accepted as the best way to remove underarm hair. For most women, it does not cause darkening and it’s a service that’s quite easily available in almost all salons.

Make sure to cleanse and exfoliate well before your appointment. Don’t moisturize on the day when you wax, but do it well for at least three days prior to it. The ideal length of your hair for waxing is ¼ inch, so cut out the long ones beforehand. Don’t underrate the role of after-wax lotion or gel, it will protect the skin in a post-wax sensitivity and help reduce the chances of darkening.

2. Shaving

It makes to the first spot on our list of best ways to remove underarm hair because it’s a convenient instant solution. Whether a last-minute plan or a really tight week, you can always take a minute to grab a razor! But never hurry so much that you cut yourself, or forget to apply shaving gel, or forget to clean it properly before applying the razor. Also, make sure to maintain razor hygiene and replace it after 3 – 4 uses.

3. Hair Removal Creams

Another well known tried – and – tested, do – it – yourself method. They’re hassle-free and usually very cheap. Look for the ones that best suit your skin type. There are special options in the market for those who have sensitive skin problems and those who have intense darkening. It’s better to have a word with your dermatologist beforehand, if not then run a test patch before you use on the arms.

4. Laser Treatment

A small investment would go a long way. You might take a couple of sessions to fully get rid of small hair and dark spots, but it will be worth it. There are many myths associated with this method but our experience and research say it is a safe bet. Imagine a life where you never have to worry about armpit-hair problems ever again!

You may see regrowth if major hormonal changes are happening in your body like while getting pregnant.

5. Trimmers and Epilators

These products are gentler on the skin as compared to others, as they do not rub against your skin. Epilators are more painful but ones with the most long-lasting result as they pull hair from the root, and decreases hair growth in the long run. For best results, take a warm bath and exfoliate your pits thoroughly, then dry them completely and without putting moisturizer, run a trimmer or an epilator on them. Don’t forget to soothe your skin post-trimming with sensitive skin lotion or Aloe Vera gel.

Types of insurance everyone should buy for a peaceful life

Types of insurance everyone should buy for a peaceful life

Insurance is an integral aspect of financial planning for everyone. Insurance plans are basically meant to safeguard your family’s future in case of any unfortunate event. In addition to this protection, insurance serves different kinds of purposes like savings, tax benefits, and income after retirement, etc.  You must have heard about different plans like term plan, ULIP, health insurance, car insurance, life insurance, auto insurance, and many more. Let’s explore more about different plans and how you can protect the future of your dependents by investing in an appropriate insurance policy.

When you are protected against something unpredictable, you can have peace of mind.   Insurance policy exactly offers peaceful life with multiple benefits. Though insurance policies come in a wide plethora of options like umbrella insurance, dental insurance, pet insurance, flood insurance and many more, there are four major types of insurance policy-

  • Health insurance– Health is wealth. With several factors impacting our health like changing lifestyle, pollution, etc., health insurance is an important insurance type to consider. Various health conditions and medical diseases can knock our door anytime, and to safeguard finances against medical costs, health insurance policy is essential. Several plans are available such as family health insurance, individual health insurance, critical illness insurance, and many more.  
  • Life insurance–  In today’s uncertain times, life insurance spells a necessity rather than a luxury. Life insurance can help meet several financial needs. It has become an integral element for the smooth functioning of our lives.  Types of life insurance policies include term plans, endowment policies, ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance plans), money-back policies, pension plans, and whole life policy. Term plans are the simplest and pure form of insurance plans without any investment component, whereas money-back policies feature protection plus saving components. Endowment policies have comparatively higher premiums and are beneficial to protect life and multiply investments as well.  Different policy types have different benefits and features. Invest time in exploring different types of insurance policies like how term plan works, which are the best endowment plans, benefits of ULIPs, etc. to find the best policy type to suit your needs and budget.
  • Auto insurance– Most states in India mandate Auto insurance, which provides the insured person with some financial protection in case of an accident. Third-party auto insurance provides compensation in case of death or bodily injury to a third party or any damage to its car. Whereas comprehensive auto insurance has additional features in addition to third party insurance. It protects your vehicle against natural calamities such as floods, hurricanes, cyclones, earthquakes or human made mishaps such as thefts, terrorist attacks, riots, etc.
  • Property Insurance– This type of insurance policy offers protection against most risks to the property of the insured person, including theft, fire, damage caused by weather, or natural calamities. There are several special types of insurance as well such as flood insurance, home insurance, fire insurance, earthquake insurance, and more.

All in all, insurance is a prudent way to safeguard you and your family against unpredicted circumstances. Protecting the future of your loved ones is the need of the hour. Explore different types and choose insurance policies that suit your needs and provide adequate cover for your future needs.

How to Make Sure Your Personal Loan Application is Not Rejected

How to Make Sure Your Personal Loan Application is Not Rejected

In 2019, personal loans grew at 28% in the third quarter, compared to 33.5% in the same period the previous year. In fact, year-on-year, the volume of originations in the loan category increased 134%, according to a credit trends report by CIBIL. Indians are increasingly turning to loans to fulfil their funding needs.

A personal loan is a good idea when it comes to a dream vacation or having a perfect destination wedding. But the lender ticks off several factors before approving a loan application. Here’s how you can improve your chances of getting a loan without any hiccups.

Proper Collateral

To secure a loan, you might have to put one of your assets as collateral. This can include vehicles, home, savings or any expensive luxury item. This lowers the risk for the lender, increasing your chances of getting the loan. If you do not have any asset to present as collateral, getting the desired amount might prove difficult. The higher the value of the collateral, the better the loan amount you can secure. However, remember to check personal loan interest rates and terms before making a final decision. 

Check Application Details

Banks will instantly reject any application with the slightest bit of vague or inaccurate information. They can also hire third parties to verify your details, if necessary. Therefore, before hitting the submit button, double-check all the information carefully. Present the right documents before you apply for a personal loan so that the bank can easily crosscheck your credentials.

Debt to Income (DTI) Ratio

This will determine the amount of money you can borrow. It is basically the ratio of how much you earn monthly to how much you owe. This will be verified by lenders to be sure whether you can handle the monthly repayment, without any hassle. If you cannot pay off a new debt, your loan application can be rejected outright. Therefore, if your DTI score is above 43%, consider clearing other debts first.

Sufficient Income

Before sanctioning a personal loan, the lender will also look at your source of income and employment. This is done to ensure that you are capable of making monthly or quarterly payments. In case you do not earn enough or have a stable job, the lender might refuse to grant the loan. Freelance work or other benefits usually do not create a good impression. Therefore, try to meet the employment requirements by having a full-time job.

Credit Scores 

Loan approval depends to a large extent on how good you are at repaying debt. Your credit score will determine this. If you have defaulted on even paying credit card bills, it will reflect in your credit score and could hamper your chances of loan approval. If you are applying for an unsecured personal loan, you must especially take care of this score. A score of 750 or above is considered good by lenders.

In all, getting a personal loan sanctioned is not a big deal. Make sure the bank accepts the purpose of taking the loan. Not all lenders will let you use the money for any unplanned expense. Most are issued for education, medical purposes or travel. Do check with your lender for the details before applying.

Advantages of integrated MBA in India

Advantages of integrated MBA in India

MBA is becoming an extremely popular choice of degree as it is offering students their desired jobs. The multinational companies now incline to hiring people who have MBA degrees over people who are graduates with BBA. An MBA degree prepares a student better for the market and makes him more suitable to work professionally. However, given the fact that this generation of students desires the maximum output by giving in lesser in amount, the trend of doing integrated MBA is getting popular day by day. Many B. Tech colleges in India are also providing this field of study.

There are various benefits to getting an MBA integrated course. It saves time and makes you prepared better for the real market of jobs. The primary benefits of choosing an integrated course over BBA are mentioned below.

Money and time saving

It is only natural that with an integrated degree you will be saving time. You will get the job a year after your peers but you will join in a better position than them. You will have more understanding of the business market and you will have a master’s degree beside your name. It will give you better exposure and will help you to create a good impression when you are being interviewed by various companies. Moreover, given the fact that it saves your time, naturally, you get to spend less on your education- related expenditures and thus cut off your education costs significantly.

Scope

Another very important perk of doing an integrated MBA is that it will affect you very positively in the job market. When you are going to an interview as a BBA graduate, you will not be treated the same way as an integrated MBA holder. The pay packages will also vary and naturally the one with the integrated MBA will be offered more. It is primarily because they get more exposure to knowledge and other practical aspects of the job. They will naturally prove to be more efficient employees and thus companies will incline to hire them over the BBA graduates.

Time for doing additional things

When you are opting for an integrated MBA course, you will have your syllabus broken down into various parts that you will have to complete within five years. This will give you some free time for yourself where you will be able to nurture your hobbies and other things that you love. The course will not make you rush and sit with your book in front of you all the while. These are the primary benefits a student can avail out of an integrated MBA course. It increases his chances of landing a highly paid job where he will gain extra respect as well. To get enrolled in an integrated program of MBA, a student has to pass the 12th standard exam with 45% marks at least and should have mandatorily had English as a subject.

5 Best Lunchbox Recipes for Kids

5 Best Lunchbox Recipes for Kids

Packing a child’s lunchbox is one of the hardest things ever for a parent. Children tend to be fussy and don’t prefer to eat certain food at school. But it is essential to make sure that they get their daily quota of nutrients through food.

Right from the color to the texture to taste to appearance, everything has to be appealing to children. And kids hardly like to eat the same items every day. By mixing up healthy food with your child’s favorites can make them feel interested in their lunchboxes.

  • Moong Dal Chila
    • With the goodness of moong Dal and their vibrant yellow color, this Chila (pancake) adds the required protein to your child’s diet. It is one of the easy yet healthy tiffin recipes for kids.
    • Add grated carrots or chopped bell peppers to make the dish colorful. You can also top it with scrambled paneer (cottage cheese) or tofu for additional taste and health benefits. A pinch of turmeric to the batter will enhance its color.
  • Quick Noodles
    • Just about every kid we know loves noodles. These are easy to prepare and fun to eat. Toss some boiled noodles with colorful vegetables, mushrooms, a spoonful of coarsely crushed roasted peanuts, and a sprig of coriander.
    • A squeeze of lime juice adds to the taste. If you can make noodles at home, you are making the dish healthier. You can also add a few pieces of boiled egg to the noodles.
  • Oats Idly
    • Lentils and oats with the added advantage of vegetables are a great source of vitamins and minerals. You can turn the boring idly into fun food while ensuring that it is still healthy.
    • If your kid loves shapes, you can make idlis in different shaped molds. Add powdered oats, grated vegetables, and some salt to the idly batter,  this mixed batter is then steamed for around 15 minutes.
  • Egg Fried Rice
    • If you are running late, something simple as egg fried rice will also be a good option for the lunchbox. Physical development in children is crucial at the growing stages. Eggs are super nutritious foods that can aid in the child’s development.
    • Saute onion, garlic, and vegetables such as carrots, beans, bell peppers, peas, and broccoli with rice. Add spice powders and sauces  scrambled eggs and top it with another omelet. If you are too pressed for time, use only eggs and rice, without vegetables.
  • Colorful Pasta Salad
    • Pasta is yet another dish that kids love to eat. Apart from the regular pasta salad in various red and white sauces, you can make dry pasta salad and turn it colorful.
    • Add boiled corn, cherry tomatoes, blanched broccoli, coriander, etc. to make a cheerful pasta salad. Dress it with herbs such as thyme and oregano. A spoonful of cream will make it tastier.

You can also make paneer tortilla wraps, multigrain pizzas, or club sandwiches with the goodness of yogurt. Experiment with colors and flavors to make the Tiffin box interesting.

5 Common mistakes that lead to neck pain

5 Common mistakes that lead to neck pain

Neck pain or stiff neck has become a common problem especially if your job needs you to seat in front of a screen for 8-10 hours. Whenever you feel neck pain symptoms no doubt you will turn to your family, friends, or internet to find the remedies to reduce the neck pain. But along with the neck pain treatment, you should avoid these common mistakes that may worsen your neck pain symptoms.

  1. Ignoring Your Pain

Pain is your body’s alarm system.  Thus, ignoring your pain is the first mistake you should avoid as this may only worsen the problem. Instead of ignoring pain try to discover the source of the problem. Otherwise, it will gradually become harder to treat. 

Visit your doctor or Chiropractors to find the source of pain and treat the cause that may occur in the spine and joints. 

  1. Taking pain medication

Most of us often have a habit to reach for pain medication whenever we feel pain. Whether those are over the counter drugs or prescription pain pills you will find various pain medications at the local drug stores that work on a different cause of problems. However, these pain medications also come with side effects. Depending on what medicines you take you might experience different side effects that greatly outweigh the short-term benefits. Moreover, none of these pain medications address the main neck pain causes. 

  1. Relying on your primary doctor too long

General practitioners usually don’t have in-depth training to treat mechanical issues related to your spine. You can visit your family doctor to examine the problem and get a further reference for the expert. But if the pain or symptoms are severe, relying on your primary doctor for too long may make it harder to treat the problem.

If you are wondering how to cure neck pain you should ask your doctor for the reference of chiropractors who specialize in treating the spine and joint pain through physiotherapy and chiropractic adjustments.

  1. Focusing only on MRI’s

While an MRI scan is performed to discover the source of pain, focusing only on MRI test are not enough. You could feel excruciating pain but your MRI scan may show a normal spine. Or you may see a large herniated disc in your MRI scan, but you be feeling fine. Thus, if you are in pain visit a skilled chiropractor who can correctly read your MRI results and with the help of a full clinical examination accurately diagnose the problem.

  1. Stopping all or most physical activities

When you are experiencing severe pain resting physical activities that cause excruciating pain is fine. However, staying inactive for long will only worsen your pain. To reduce your pain you must keep your back and neck muscles strong and flexible.  You can try gentle stretching exercises that improve the healing process and reduce the chances of future injuries.

Along with getting proper neck pain treatment avoiding these common mistakes will help you quickly reduce pain and avoid any chances of future injuries.

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